Highlighting severe safety concerns at unprotected railway crossings, three family members lost their lives in a deadly Amtrak train accident in Pennsylvania.
The tragic incident occurred near Bristol station, where police were desperately trying to reach the men before the Boston-to-Richmond train struck them at high speed.
This marks the second pedestrian fatality involving Amtrak in Bucks County this week alone.
The incident occurred near Prospect and Beaver streets near the Bristol train station. Local officials confirmed the victims were members of the same family, though their names have not yet been released to the public.
Bristol Borough Police Chief Joe Moors said, “This is a horrific tragedy,” and described the devastating scene that unfolded.
“When our officers arrived, the sergeant was starting to head up to the subjects up on the railroad tracks when an Accela high-speed train traveling southbound towards Philadelphia struck all three subjects that were up on the track,” Moors explained.
Witnesses reported seeing a young male on the tracks first, followed by an older male and a third male who appeared to be attempting to help.
This heartbreaking chain of events suggests that family members may have been trying to save one another when disaster struck.
Even more concerning, investigators noted the area where the men accessed the tracks is not fenced off, unlike the opposite side of the tracks.
None of the 236 passengers or crew members aboard Amtrak train 85 reported any injuries during the incident.
However, the collision caused significant disruptions to the rail service. Amtrak halted all rail traffic departing from New York and Philadelphia immediately following the incident, while SEPTA service was suspended near Bristol Station.
The tragedy marks the second pedestrian fatality involving an Amtrak train in Bucks County this week, with another incident occurring near Cornwells Heights Station just days earlier.
These repeated incidents raise serious questions about railway safety measures and whether Amtrak is doing enough to secure dangerous track areas, particularly in populated regions.
Local resident Ashley Spencer described the horrifying moment of impact: “I heard the loudest screech I’ve ever heard before in my life.”
Amtrak police are leading the investigation into the incident, working alongside the Bristol Township Police Department.
Service between Philadelphia and New York eventually reopened, and SEPTA’s Trenton Line also resumed operations.
Amtrak issued a statement saying, “All services operating through the area will be operating at restricted speeds,” but questions remain about long-term safety solutions.
As communities mourn this tragic loss of life, many are calling for increased safety measures, including proper fencing, warning systems, and greater public awareness about the dangers of railroad tracks.
